Bentley University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
2026-2027 Academic Year
Eligibility
All students enrolled at least three-quarter time are required by Massachusetts state law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or maintain comparable health insurance coverage. To comply with this requirement, domestic undergraduate students registered for 9 or more credit hours, domestic graduate students registered for 6.75 or more credit hours, and all international students—regardless of credit hours—are automatically billed for SHIP. To learn more about this law, click here.
Plan Highlights
The 2026–2027 Bentley University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The plan is ACA-compliant and offers access to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s national PPO network of providers. Students are not required to select a primary care physician, and referrals are not needed.
Bentley has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and assist with waiver, enrollment, and benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 833-251-1738 or info@univhealthplans.com.
Cost and Coverage Periods
| Annual Students | New Spring Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Dates | 8/1/26 - 7/31/27 | 1/1/27 - 7/31/27 |
| Insurance Cost | $2,650 | $1,536 |
| Waiver Deadline - UG | August 4, 2026 | TBD |
| Waiver Deadline - GR | August 31, 2026 | TBD |
Enrollment Process
Although students are automatically charged for SHIP, they are not enrolled until after the deadline. Students who need coverage should submit the enrollment form, located in the navigation menu, as soon as possible to avoid delays in accessing their benefits
Waiver Process
If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan, you can opt out of the Bentley University SHIP by completing the waiver form, located in the navigation menu. Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. To waive, your plan must meet the following requirements.
- Your plan must provide access to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and mental health/behavioral health providers in the Bentley University campus area without restriction or limitation. Please note that if you are enrolled in an out-of-state Medicaid, HMO, or EPO, your coverage may not be sufficient in Massachusetts. Many out-of-state plans do not provide comprehensive benefits outside of the home service area, and urgent or emergency-only coverage in Massachusetts is not sufficient and does not meet the SHIP waiver requirements.
- The policy must be a US-filed and approved, ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant health insurance plan. International insurance plans, travel insurance, and short-term limited-duration plans are not accepted.
Students who do not submit an enrollment or waiver form by the deadline will be enrolled in the SHIP retroactively to the policy effective date and will be responsible for the insurance premium.
International Students
All international students will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP and do not need to take any action. Please contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1738 or info@univhealthplans.com if you are covered by a US-filed and approved, ACA-compliant health insurance plan that meets all of the waiver requirements to request the International Student Waiver Form.
Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed in the US and have limited benefits and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Plan Regulations and the Bentley University waiver requirements. ISO, PSI, Student Medicover, PGH Global, GBG, DIANins, and NYIS Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.
Qualifying Event Enrollment Process
Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for special enrollment rights if they incur an involuntary loss of other coverage. The Qualifying Event Enrollment Form can be found in the navigation menu. To request a premium quote, contact University Health Plans at info@univhealthplans.com
To enroll, you must submit an enrollment form, a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage, and payment within 60 days of the qualifying event. If all items are received by the deadline, coverage will be effective as of the first day without coverage under your prior plan.
